The Birth Dilemma: Why South Korea’s Fertility Rate is the Lowest in the World

South Korea’s fertility rate has plunged to 0.72, the lowest in the world, due to career-family conflicts, high living costs, and deep-rooted gender norms, threatening economic stability and social welfare. Urgent labor market reforms, gender equality initiatives, and financial support for families are needed to reverse this demographic crisis.

South Korea is facing a demographic emergency, with its fertility rate dropping to 0.72 in 2023, the lowest in the world. A joint study by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns that this trend will have severe consequences for the economy, labor market, and public welfare. If current patterns persist, South Korea’s population will halve within the next 60 years, and by 2082, nearly 58% of the population will be elderly. The old-age dependency ratio is projected to surge from 28% today to 155%, placing immense pressure on social insurance systems, labor markets, and government finances. The country is struggling to address this crisis despite policy interventions, as economic, cultural, and structural barriers continue to discourage young people from starting families.

The Career-Family Dilemma: A Tough Choice for Women

One of the key reasons for Korea’s ultra-low fertility is the conflict between career ambitions and family life. Despite significant efforts to support working parents through parental leave, childcare subsidies, and financial incentives, the country’s rigid labor market and deep-rooted gender inequality make it difficult for women to balance work and motherhood. Many women face long working hours, seniority-based wage structures, and a significant gender pay gap, forcing them to choose between career advancement and family responsibilities. Once women leave the workforce for childbirth, it is often challenging to re-enter, as non-regular jobs with lower pay and fewer benefits become their only option. This has resulted in what some experts describe as a “birth strike” and “marriage strike”, where young women increasingly postpone or entirely forgo marriage and children to avoid the economic and personal sacrifices associated with parenthood.

Soaring Costs of Raising a Child

Beyond career concerns, the high financial cost of raising children further discourages young couples from starting families. Education expenses, particularly private tutoring (hagwons), consume a large portion of household income, as parents feel pressured to invest heavily in their children’s education to secure their future. In 2023, nearly 80% of school-aged children in Korea received private tutoring, with families spending an average of 10% of their disposable income on these extra classes. The country's intense academic competition makes private tutoring almost a necessity, leading to immense financial strain on parents.

Housing costs add to the burden, particularly in cities like Seoul, where real estate prices have soared, making homeownership increasingly difficult for young people. Many believe that owning a home is a prerequisite for marriage and family life, leading to delayed family formation or complete avoidance of marriage altogether. As a result, a growing number of Koreans remain single or childless, contributing to the continuous decline in birth rates.

Cultural Shifts: Breaking Away from Tradition

Social attitudes toward marriage and family have undergone a major transformation. In the past, getting married and having children were seen as societal duties, but younger generations are now prioritizing personal aspirations, career growth, and financial independence over traditional family roles. Surveys indicate that many Korean women delay or avoid childbirth due to career ambitions, and men, too, are increasingly hesitant about marriage due to the financial and social responsibilities it entails.

Gender norms also play a significant role. Korean society still expects women to take on the bulk of childcare and housework, even when they work full-time. The country’s gender wage gap remains the highest in the OECD, reinforcing the traditional male breadwinner-female caretaker model. Countries with more equal sharing of household responsibilities and stronger workplace protections for parents—such as Sweden, France, and Denmark have managed to maintain higher birth rates, suggesting that South Korea must rethink its approach to gender roles if it hopes to reverse its fertility decline.

Can Policy Interventions Reverse the Trend?

Despite numerous policy efforts, Korea’s fertility rate continues to decline. The government has expanded childcare services, parental leave benefits, and financial incentives for new parents, but these measures have had limited success due to structural barriers in the labor market and persistent gender inequality.

One promising development has been the reduction of working hours. In 2018, Korea implemented a 52-hour workweek limit, which has improved work-life balance for many employees. However, the impact on fertility remains unclear, as many companies still expect employees to prioritize work over family life.

The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened Korea’s demographic challenges, causing postponed marriages and delayed childbearing. While birth rates have slightly rebounded in recent months, experts caution that this increase is likely a temporary effect rather than a sign of long-term recovery.

Experts argue that Korea must take bolder steps to address its demographic crisis. This includes:

• Expanding workplace flexibility, allowing employees, especially parents to have more control over their schedules.
• Challenging gender norms to ensure that men participate more actively in childcare and household duties.
• Reducing the financial burden of education and housing to make parenthood more affordable.
• Reforming labor market structures, ensuring that career breaks for childbirth do not permanently disadvantage women.

The Urgent Need for Change

South Korea’s fertility crisis is not just a population issue but a reflection of deeper economic and societal problems. If left unaddressed, the shrinking workforce and aging population will have severe economic consequences, including labor shortages, slower economic growth, and increasing pressure on public finances. By 2060, government spending on healthcare, pensions, and elder care is expected to reach 17.4% of GDP, while fewer young people entering the labor force will reduce tax revenues, straining the country’s economy.

To prevent this crisis from worsening, South Korea must implement bold, long-term reforms that prioritize gender equality, workplace flexibility, and financial support for families. The future of the country depends on ensuring that young people can pursue both career success and family aspirations without making overwhelming sacrifices. Without meaningful change, Korea risks facing a demographic and economic downturn that could reshape its society for generations to come.